THE FULLNESS OF LIFE

By Fr. Florentino S. Lim, CIHM

Meditation: Christan Approach

(1st of a Series)

1. Stillness

One of the first lessons in meditation whether Christian or non-Christian in approach, is learning to be still. An immediate comparison is that of pool of water which has been stirred and has become cloudy; it has to be left still for sometime until the dirt and particles have settled down and the water become clear and transparent once again. In meditation we allow thoughts, images and feelings to settle down before we can experience spiritual illumination. Stillness brings clarity of mind and spirit.

To be still is to come to a rest. Our restlessness cannot lead us to anything substantial. There are moments when, in the midst of the clamors and agitations of our modern life, we need to pause, to rest, in order to consider the higher issues of life. In such moments, our spirit needs to be silenced and to let go of fruitless frenetic activities. Such moments are moments of stillness.

This stillness allows us to focus our attention to something which is above the superficial. It opens our heart and mind -- our very being -- to the mysteries and wonders of life and to transcendental realities.

The object of our attention can just be a blade of grass glistening under the first streak of morning sun; the innocence and helplessness of a tiny, newly born child; or a particular event in our life through which we feel that God has a message for us.

This focusing of our attention on something should not involve too much reasoning and analyzing. Just be still. The mind should be quiet and receptive. Meditation is NOT a brainstorming sessions or even a scientific approach to solving problems. Meditation is mental prayer, we must rely more on the light of the Holy Spirit than on our own.

Unless God reveals Himself we cannot know him. Our whole attitude before this divine self-disclosure should be that of humble openness and receptivity. Speaking through the Sacred Scripture, God invites us to foster this attitude of stillness, "Be still and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth!" (Ps 46:10)